buy a pair give a pair Archives

Ashley Adores’ Favorite Things: TOMS’ Winter Collection

December 30, 2014

Today, I close my Favorite Things series with TOMS’ Winter Collection, because, honestly, this company is the epitome of a brand that gives back, with its groundbreaking one-for-one business model wherein each pair of shoes purchased means a pair of shoes for a person in need.

“I couldn’t believe that kids needed shoes to go to school and didn’t have them, because that seemed like such an easy thing to provide,” TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie told The Business of Fashion about the genesis of the company. “So I went with these women to this village and saw kids and families who were so excited to get these shoes — and they weren’t even new shoes! They were used shoes. And it just hit me right in the heart. This was what I wanted to be doing. I mean business is great. Making money’s fun, but making people have tears of joy? That’s what life’s about.”

Since its inception in 2006, TOMS has given more than 35 million pairs of new shoes to children in need, and helped restore sight to more than 250,000 people since the 2011 launch of TOMS Eyewear. And this year, the company established TOMS Roasting Co., providing a week of clean water to a person in need with every bag of coffee purchased.

Though it may be an acquired taste for some, TOMS has the reputation of being among the most fashionable charities with its array of stylish footwear, from its classic slip-ons to its platform wedges.

However, these Wine Crackled Leather Women’s Jutti Flats have quickly made it to the top of my wish list. These Indian-inspired gems blend suede and crackled leather for a tantalizing piece of foot candy.

See what else made the cut after the jump!

Ashley Adores’ Favorite Things: Warby Parker Winter 2014 Collection

November 4, 2014

Oprah’s not the only one who can claim faves! I’m getting in on the fun too by highlighting one pick a week from a clothing and/or accessories brand that I adore, and that gives back to the community. After all, the giving season will be upon us before we know it.

First up is none other than Warby Parker, the purveyor of “meticulously crafted” eyewear that I have long admired for its abundance of stylish frames.

The New York-headquartered brand’s Winter 2014 Collection features some lovely optical frames (looking at you, Talbot), but being that I’m an unabashed California girl, I’m particularly fond of the Laurel sunglasses in Oak Barrel.

First of all, go ‘head, team natural (I always applaud diversity in choice of models)! Second, these Laurel frames are everything that I could ask for in a pair of shades: sleek and fun, with a smidge of sass. Simply put, they’re so “me.” Not to mention, I can think of a hundred ways to style them. Chambray long sleeve? But of course. All black everything? Definitely. A pop of red lipstick and vintage heels? Please and thank you!

I was pretty much sold on the tortoise shell-colored frames (you know it’s hard for me to turn down a nice tortoise shell). That was, of course, until I laid eyes on the two-toned Tea Rose Fade version, which totally reminds me of neapolitan ice cream, for some strange reason. Tough choices here!

Aside from the Laurel shades, I’m also really digging the Reilly sunglasses. With its cool, Sparrow Grey color, it’s the perfect fit for a winter collection.

Browse more of Warby Parker’s Winter 2014 Collection sunwear and eyeglasses styles, and I promise you’ll want to leave with more than one pair. They’re just that perfect.

As always, these frames are a part of Warby Parker’s Buy a Pair, Give a Pair program. Can you believe they’ve distributed 1 million pairs of glasses to people in need? Yet another reason I’m a huge fan of Warby Parker.